Government appoints expert to head Industrial Relations review

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell today announced leading industrial relations lawyer Steven Amendola would head the State Government's review of the Western Australian industrial relations system.

Mr Amendola, an expert with more than 20 years experience in industrial relations, will investigate reforms to WA's unfair dismissal laws; union right of entry; agreement-making and awards; and the structure and operation of the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The review's terms of reference, which were released today, also include consideration of the Federal Government's Fair Work Act 2009, with a focus on which elements should form part of the State industrial relations system and potential areas for harmonisation of State and Federal industrial relations systems.

"The Amendola Review will be the first stocktake of the operation of the State system since the Federal Government's use of Corporations power to make Commonwealth industrial relations laws.  The Government is putting politics aside to develop the best workplace laws for WA," Mr Buswell said.

"Mr Amendola's work representing the Commonwealth in the 1998 waterfront dispute; the 2002 Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry; and his more recent involvement with the Office of Workplace shows his IR expertise is second to none."

The Minister said the review aimed to create 'the most fair, balanced and productive industrial relations system in the nation.'

Up to 30 per cent of WA employees are covered by the State system, mostly in unincorporated small business and the public sector, and the State Government has made clear it has no intention of handing over this responsibility to Canberra, which is continuing to push for a single national system.

"I think the interests of WA will be best served by the State exercising its powers to legislate on industrial matters," Mr Buswell said.

"The review would lay the foundations for a simple, efficient system tailored to the needs of small businesses which often lack the human resources expertise of big companies." 

Minister's office: 9222 9111